Set-top box with interactive portal and system and method for use of same

ABSTRACT

A set-top box with an interactive portal and system and method for use of the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, the set-top box is deployed to provide an interactive portal in a hospitality establishment having multiple rooms, such as a hotel. The set-top box is associated with a room and includes a housing that secures a television input, a television output, a processor, a transceiver, and memory therein in an interconnected bus architecture. The set-top box generates a guest interactive portal as well as a housekeeping interactive portal for a guest and housekeeper, respectively. Each of the portals provides relevant feedback on the condition of the room to a server associated with the hotel.

PRIORITY STATEMENT

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/074,067 entitled “Set-Top Box with Interactive Portal and System andMethod for Use of Same” and filed on Mar. 18, 2016, in the names ofVanessa Ogle et al, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,560,388 issued on Jan. 31, 2017;which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/803,428entitled “Set-Top Box with Interactive Portal and System and Method forUse of Same” and filed on Jul. 20, 2015, in the names of Vanessa Ogle etal, now U.S. Pat. No. 9,326,009 issued on Apr. 26, 2016; which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/294,123 entitled“Set-top Box with Interactive Portal and System and Method for Use ofSame” and filed on Jun. 2, 2014, in the names of Vanessa Ogle et al.,now U.S. Pat. No. 9,088,828 issued on Jul. 21, 2015; which claimspriority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/829,932 entitled“On-Screen Display” and filed on May 31, 2013 in the name of VanessaOgle; all of which are hereby incorporated by reference for allpurposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates, in general, to set-top boxes and, in particular,to set-top boxes with interactive portals and systems and methods foruse of the same that provide additional functionality to the hospitalitylodging industry, as an example.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Without limiting the scope of the present invention, the background willbe described in relation to the hospitality lodging industry, as anexample. Housekeepers have one of the most important roles in thehospitality lodging industry. The hotel or other lodging establishmentneeds to be presentable, clean, and sanitary. To these ends, the dutiesof a housekeeper include making sure each hotel room has enough hygieneproducts, stationery, clean linens, clean drink ware and a supply ofbeverages, for example. Typically, hotels may provide housekeepers withclipboards and checklists as an informational job aid to ensurecompletion of each housekeeper's tasks and reduce failure bycompensating for potential limits of human memory and attention. Such apaper-dependent approach has proven to be a limitation in an everincreasing paperless hospitality lodging industry. Accordingly, there isa need for improved systems and methods that ensure the completion ofhousekeeping tasks, while integrating well into existing and plannedhospitality lodging establishments.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be advantageous to introduce systems and methods that furtherthe completion of housekeeping tasks—and other operational andmaintenance tasks—in hospitality lodging establishments to ensurecompletion of the tasks and reduce failure. It would also be desirableto enable a computer-based solution that would mitigate the dependencyon paper and integrate well into existing and planned hospitalitylodging establishments. To better address one or more of these concerns,a set-top box with an interactive portal and systems and methods for useof the same are disclosed. In one embodiment of the set-top box, theset-top box is deployed to provide an interactive portal in ahospitality establishment having multiple rooms, such as a hotel. Theset-top box is associated with a room and includes a housing thatsecures a television input, a television output, a processor, atransceiver, and memory therein in an interconnected bus architecture.The set-top box generates a guest interactive portal as well as ahousekeeping interactive portal for a guest and housekeeper,respectively. Each of the portals provides relevant feedback on thecondition of the room to a server associated with the hotel.

In another embodiment, a system deploys the set-top boxes in roomsthroughout the lodging establishment. The interactive instructionsprompted by guests using the guest interactive portal are utilized todynamically maintain a housekeeping schedule and a maintenance schedule.Further, the interactive instructions prompted by housekeepers using thehousekeeping interactive portal are utilized to dynamically maintain themaintenance schedule. These and other aspects of the invention will beapparent from and elucidated with reference to the embodiments describedhereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the features and advantages of thepresent invention, reference is now made to the detailed description ofthe invention along with the accompanying figures in which correspondingnumerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and inwhich:

FIG. 1 is schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a systemutilizing set-top boxes with interactive portals being employed in ahospitality lodging establishment, according to the teachings presentedherein;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a room within thehospitality lodging establishment, illustrating components in a guestconfiguration, which form a portion of the system depicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3A is a front elevation view of one embodiment of the room withinthe hospitality lodging establishment, illustrating components in afirst housekeeping configuration;

FIG. 3B is a front elevation view of one embodiment of the room withinthe hospitality lodging establishment, illustrating components in asecond housekeeping configuration;

FIG. 4A is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a set-top boxdepicted in FIG. 1 in further detail;

FIG. 4B is a rear elevation view of the set-top box depicted in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of theset-top box presented in FIGS. 4A and 4B;

FIG. 6A is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a digitalrepresentation of the hospitality lodging establishment presented inFIG. 1;

FIG. 6B is a schematic diagram depicting one embodiment of a digitalrepresentation of a floor of the hospitality lodging establishmentpresented in FIG. 6A;

FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram depicting one embodiment of theserver presented in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a flow chart depicting one embodiment of a method utilizingset-top boxes with interactive portals according to the teachingspresented herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts, whichcan be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention, and do not delimit the scope of the presentinvention.

Referring initially to FIG. 1, therein is depicted one embodiment of asystem 10 utilizing set-top boxes 12 with interactive portals beingemployed within a hospitality lodging establishment 14. The hospitalitylodging establishment or more generally, hospitality property, may be afurnished multi-family residence, dormitory, lodging establishment,hotel, hospital, or other multi-unit environment. As shown, by way ofexample and not by way of limitation, the hospitality environment isdepicted as the hotel 14 having various rooms 16. The set-top boxes 12are communicatively disposed with various amenities associated with thehospitality environment, which as mentioned is depicted as the hotel 14.The set-top boxes 12 may be deployed throughout the rooms 16 of thehotel 14 and are in communication with a property server 18, which isco-located at the hotel 14.

As shown, in one embodiment, within a room 16, the system 10 includesthe set-top box 12 and a display illustrated as television 20 having ascreen 22. A connection, which is depicted as an HDMI connection 24,connects the set-top box 12 to the television 20. Other connectionsinclude a power cable 26 coupling the set-top box 12 to a power source,a coaxial cable 28 coupling the set-top box 12 to an external cablesource, and a category five (Cat 5) cable 30 coupling the set-top box 12to external pay-per-view source at the hotel 14. It should beappreciated that the cabling connected to the set-top box 12 will dependon the environment and application and the cabling connections presentedin FIG. 1 are depicted for illustrative purposes. Further, it shouldappreciated that the positioning of the set-top box 12 will varydepending on environment and application and, with certainfunctionality, the set-top box 12 may be placed more discretely, or evenentirely, behind the television 20.

A television remote control 32 includes an array of buttons 34 foradjusting various settings such as television channel and volume. In oneembodiment, the television remote control 30 may be a consumer infrared(IR), Bluetooth or other wireless-protocol-based device configured as asmall wireless handheld object that issues commands, such as signals S,from a distance to the set-top box 12 in order to control the television20 via the set-top box 12, for example. By way of example, program P isbeing shown on the screen 22 of the television 20.

Referring now to FIG. 2, in response to receiving a guest servicerequest from a user of the remote control 32, for example, the set-topbox 12 has generated a guest interactive portal 50. In oneimplementation, the user may press service button of the buttons 34 ornavigate a menu to cause the generation of the guest interactive portal50, which may be overlayed or superimposed on the program P in oneembodiment. The guest interactive portal includes interactive icons 52,and more particularly icons 54, 56, 58, 60, 62, and 64. Additionally,informational presentation 66 is provided, which includes date and time.It should be appreciated that any number or configuration of interactiveicons 52 may be presented, including an entire screen of interactiveicons 52 or a scrolling feature allowing a defined space to provide manysheets of interactive icons 52. By way of example and not by way oflimitation, the interactive icons 52 may include do not disturb, make uproom, additional towels, fresh linens, or turn-back service, forexample.

In the embodiment shown, icon 52 provides guest interaction with theHVAC system to control the environment. Icons 56 and 58 provide theguest with a mechanism to inform housekeeping that the guest does notwish to be disturbed or that the room is ready to be made up. Typically,such indications are placed on the guest's door. The embodimentspresented herein provide by way of the set-top box a portal for theguest to furnish this indication virtually and directly to the propertyserver 18. Continuing with the description of FIG. 2, icon 60 indicatesthat a light bulb needs replacement and actuation of this icon by way ofthe remote control 32, for example, generates, by way of the set-top box12, a maintenance request in substantially real time. Icon 62 indicatesadditional towels are required and icon 64 indicates that a wake-up callis requested.

Referring to FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B, in response to receiving ahousekeeping service request from a housekeeper or may access theset-top box 12 by way of the remote control 32, for example, the set-topbox 12 has generated a housekeeping interactive portal 70. In oneimplementation, the user or housekeeper may press a service button, witha passkey, for example, of the buttons 34 or navigate a menu to causethe generation of the housekeeping interactive portal 70, which may be aseparate channel in one embodiment. The housekeeping interactive portalincludes interactive icons 72, and more particularly icons 74, 76, 78,80, 82, 84, 86, 88, 90, 92, and 94. Additionally, informationalpresentations 96, 98, 100, 102, and 104 are provided. As discussed withrespect to the guest interactive portal 50, the housekeeping interactiveportal may include any number and arrangement of icons and informationalpresentations. Moreover, in one implementation, the icons andinformation presentations may be language independent. In this manner,the set-top box 12 is providing various housekeeping and maintenancesupport without the need for additional technology. An existingappliance in a hotel room or other lodging establishment may beleveraged. Further, complex systems that require additional training arenot needed as the systems and methods presented herein are intuitive.Further still, rooms are made ready faster while reducing labor coststhrough substantially real time housekeeping and maintenance datacollection and optimization of the deployment of staff, includingmaintenance support.

In the embodiment presented in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the icons may representtelephone maintenance 76, television maintenance 78, light bulbmaintenance 80, faucet maintenance 82, lock maintenance 84, clockmaintenance 86, iron maintenance 88, light fixture maintenance 90,toilet maintenance 92, HVAC maintenance (not shown), refrigeratormaintenance (not shown), Wi/Fi maintenance (not shown), or generalmaintenance (94), by way of example, and not by way of limitation. Icon74 provides a toggle about the status of room (dirty/clean/ready (needswork). Informational presentation 96 indicates the current room,information presentation 98 indicates the number of days until checkout,which provides an indication if a deep clean is needed. Informationpresentation 100 indicates the time. As mentioned, the next room to becleaned by the housekeeper is indicated at informational or informationpresentation 102. This information is provided by the property server ona updated basis depending on the housekeeping schedule and otherinformation gathered. At information presentation 104, the name andidentification of the housekeeper cleaning the room is provided.

In operation, the housekeeping interactive portal is accessed by thehousekeeper via a special remote control or a menu requiring a passcode.By comparing FIGS. 3A and 3B, Helen, the housekeeper has, using theremote control, for example, completed the maintenance checklist, whichserves as an informational job aid to ensure completion of eachhousekeeper's tasks and reduce failure by compensating for potentiallimits of human memory and attention. As shown, the room has beencleaned and “Room Dirty” toggled to “Room Ready Needs Work” as on themaintenance portion of the checklist, the faucet is leaking and requiresmaintenance. As displayed, in one embodiment, “checks” indicate themaintenance item has been checked and works property and the “X”indicates maintenance is needed. This information is routed to theproperty server which then prioritizes the maintenance request andupdates the maintenance schedule. Importantly, as the set-top box isassociated with a particular room and provides, in one implementation, aroom identification with transmissions to the property server, the typeof issue and the room is immediately known by the property server.Following completion of the room, Helen advances from room 402 to 403.

Referring now to FIG. 4A, FIG. 4B, and FIG. 5, as used herein, set-topboxes, back boxes and set-top/back boxes may be discussed set-top backboxes. By way of example, the set-top box 12 may be a set-top unit thatis an information appliance device that generally contains set-top boxfunctionality including having a television-tuner input and displaysoutput through a connection to a display or television set and anexternal source of signal, turning by way of tuning the source signalinto content in a form that can then be displayed on the televisionscreen or other display device. Such set-top boxes are used in cabletelevision, satellite television, and over-the-air television systems,for example.

The set-top box 12 includes a housing 108 having a front wall 110, rearwall 112, top wall 114, bottom base 116, and two sidewalls 118, 120. Itshould be appreciated that front wall, rear wall, and side wall arerelative terms used for descriptive purposes and the orientation of thewalls may vary depending on application. The front wall includes variousports, ports 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, 132, 134, 136, and 128 thatprovide interfaces for various interfaces, including inputs and outputs.In one implementation, as illustrated, the ports 122 through 128 includeinputs 156 and outputs 158 and, more particularly, an RF input 122, aRJ-45 input 124, universal serial bus (USB) input/outputs 126, anEthernet category 5 (Cat 5) coupling 128, an internal reset 130, anRS232 control 132, an audio out 134, an audio in 136, and adebug/maintenance port 138. The rear wall 112 also includes variousinputs 156 and outputs 158. More particularly, ports 140, 142, 144, and146 include a 5V dc power connection 140, USB inputs/outputs 142, anRJ-45 coupling 144, and an HDMI port 146. It should be appreciated thatthe configuration of ports may vary with the set-top box depending onapplication and context.

Within the housing 108, a processor 150, memory 152, storage 154, theinputs 156, and the outputs 158 are interconnected by a bus architecture160 in a mounting architecture. The processor 150 may processinstructions for execution within the computing device, includinginstructions stored in the memory 152 or in storage 154. The memory 152stores information within the computing device, as shown, the set-topbox 12. In one implementation, the memory 152 is a volatile memory unitor units. In another implementation, the memory 152 is a non-volatilememory unit or units. Storage 154 provides capacity that is capable ofproviding mass storage for the set-top box 12. As discussed, variousinputs 156 and outputs 158 provide connections to and from the computingdevice, wherein the inputs 156 are the signals or data received by theset-top box 12, and the outputs 156 are the signals or data sent fromthe set-top box 12.

A television content signal input 162 and a television output 164 arealso secured in the housing 108 in order to receive content from asource, that is, a source external to the set-top box 12, in thehospitality property, for example, and forward the content to thetelevision located within the hotel room, for example. A transceiver 166is associated with the set-top box 12 and communicatively disposed withthe bus 160. As shown the transceiver 166 may be internal, external, ora combination thereof to the housing 108. Communication between variousamenities in the hotel room, including even the remote control 32, andthe set-top box 12 may be enabled by a variety of wireless methodologiesemployed by the transceiver 56, including 802.11, 3G, 4G, Edge, WiFi,ZigBee, near field communications (NFC), Bluetooth low energy andBluetooth, for example. Also, infrared (IR) may be utilized.

The memory 152 and storage 154 are accessible to the processor 150 andinclude processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor 150 to execute a series of operations. Theprocessor-executable instructions receive a next room assignment from aserver for populating informational presentation 102, for example in thehousekeeping interactive portal 70. In response to receiving a guestservice request via the remote control, for example, theprocessor-executable instructions cause the generation of the guestinteractive portal including a first interactive icon relative to thehousekeeping of the assigned room and a second interactive icon relativeto maintenance of the assigned room.

Further, the processor-executable instructions cause, in response to ahousekeeping servicing request received at the transceiver from theremote control, for example, the generation of a housekeepinginteractive portal including a third interactive icon relative to theclean/dirty status of the assigned room, a fourth interactive iconrelative to maintenance of the assigned room, and the next roomassignment. In one implementation, the room status (clean/dirty/etc.)may be re-set by the set-top box periodically, such as each night, toensure cleaning if a room is occupied. The property server may inform aset-top box of room occupation, in one implementation, or the set-topbox may detect activity above a certain threshold indicating occupancy.As alluded, the fourth icon functions as a checklist configured toensure completion of a housekeeping maintenance review list. Theprocessor-executable instructions then forward either the guestinteractive portal or the housekeeping interactive portal to thetelevision via the television output.

Instructions may be received, including an interactive instructionrelative to one of the first, second, third, and fourth interactiverequests via the transceiver from the individual interactively utilizingthe respective interactive portal with the remote control, for example.The received instructions are then forwarded to the property server sothat various housekeeping schedules and maintenance schedules may beupdated in substantially real time. Further, work flow plans may bearranged and the housekeeping and maintenance schedules optimized tomake better use of personal time. Thus, improving property management.

Referring now to FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B, in one implementation, propertymonitoring and optimization is provided in the form of a database, or asshown, in a graphical presentation 180 wherein particular hotel roomswith housekeeping and maintenance status in substantially real timepermits a user or manager to select the desired information and makeoptimal housekeeping and maintenance plans. In particular, color-codingand hue assignment adds additional understanding and visibility intohousekeeping and maintenance conditions as well as use. By way ofexample and not by way of limitation, the hotel is graphical depicted180 as having a lobby and ten floors, which are lobby, 1^(st) floor,2^(nd) floor, etc. For each floor, such as the 4^(th) floor, a floorlayout is shown with rooms, such as rooms 401 through 407 and 411through 417. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, by collecting the substantially realtime housekeeping and maintenance information from the field, i.e., fromguests as well as housekeeping, a map may be shown depicting all roomswith an outstanding maintenance need 182, for example. In particular,room 402 from FIGS. 3A and 3B is highlighted due to the faucetmaintenance issue reported by the housekeeping staff during the routine,daily cleaning. With this information and knowledge of the issuemaintenance may appropriately prioritize the requests, handle therequests in an optimal order, and bring all needed equipment. Asmentioned, it should be appreciated that other types of databases andcharts may be prepared from the substantially real time informationcollected.

Referring now to FIG. 7, the server 18 is depicted as a computing devicethat includes a processor 190, memory 192, storage 194, inputs 196, andoutputs 198 interconnected with various buses 200 in a common ordistributed, for example, mounting architecture. In otherimplementations, in the computing device, multiple processors and/ormultiple buses may be used, as appropriate, along with multiple memoriesand types of memory. Further still, in other implementations, multiplecomputing devices may be provided and operations distributedtherebetween. The processor 190 may process instructions for executionwithin the computing device, including instructions stored in the memory192 or in storage 194. The memory 192 stores information within thecomputing device. In one implementation, the memory 192 is a volatilememory unit or units. In another implementation, the memory 92 is anon-volatile memory unit or units. The storage 194 may provide acapacity that is capable of providing mass storage for the computingdevice. Various inputs 196 and outputs 198 provide connections to andfrom the computing device.

The memory 192 and storage 194 are accessible to the processor andinclude processor-executable instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor to execute a series of operations. The processor-executableinstructions cause the server to access the memory and storage tomaintain and periodically optimize, as interactive requests and data arereceived, a housekeeping schedule and a maintenance schedule,respectively indicating a list of the rooms needing cleaning the orderto be cleaned, and the rooms requiring maintenance, the type ofmaintenance, and the order in which the maintenance issues will beaddressed. In particular, it should be appreciated that prioritizationof requests can occur within the systems and methods presented herein.The processor-executable instructions further cause the server to sendnext room assignments to the set-top boxes and receive information aboutthe status of rooms (dirty/clean/clean (needs work) as the informationbecomes available.

Referring now to FIG. 8, one embodiment of a method utilizing set-topboxes with interactive portals within the hospitality lodging industryis depicted. At block 210, the methodology is initiated. At blocks 212and 214 respectively, housekeeping and maintenance schedules aregenerated. At block 216, interactive instructions are received from aset-top box. The hardware and software on the set-top box, in oneembodiment, define interactive applications that provide the equivalentto a room attendant. At decision block 218, the interactive instructionsare examined at the property server to determine if the instructionsrelate to housekeeping or maintenance. It should be appreciated that theapplication may be available at a location remote to the property via aproperty management interface. If the instructions relate tohousekeeping, then continuing to decision block 220, the housekeepinginstructions are examined to determine if it is a priority item or if itmay be queued. At block 222, if it is a priority item, then housekeepingis immediately dispatched. On the other hand, at blocks 224 and 226, ifthe item is queued, then the housekeeping schedule is updated andoptimized, if needed. The methodology from blocks 222 and 226 then joinsat decision block 228, where if there are additional requests, then themethod returns to block 216.

Returning to decision block 218, if the interactive instructions aremaintenance related then priority is determined at decision block 230before advancing to immediate dispatch at block 232 or updatedmaintenance schedule and optimization thereof at blocks 234 and 236. Theflow chart then advances to decision block 228, where if no additionalrequests are present, then the methodology ends at 238.

The order of execution or performance of the methods and data flowsillustrated and described herein is not essential, unless otherwisespecified. That is, elements of the methods and data flows may beperformed in any order, unless otherwise specified, and that the methodsmay include more or less elements than those disclosed herein. Forexample, it is contemplated that executing or performing a particularelement before, contemporaneously with, or after another element are allpossible sequences of execution.

While this invention has been described with reference to illustrativeembodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in alimiting sense. Various modifications and combinations of theillustrative embodiments as well as other embodiments of the invention,will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to thedescription. It is, therefore, intended that the appended claimsencompass any such modifications or embodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for operating a hospitalityestablishment having a plurality of rooms, the system comprising: aplurality of set-top boxes respectively disposed in the plurality ofrooms, each set-top box programmably assigned to a respective room, eachset-top box comprising: a housing securing a television input, atelevision output, a processor, and memory therein; a busingarchitecture communicatively interconnecting the television input, thetelevision output, the transceiver, the processor, and the memorytherebetween; the television input configured to receive a source signalfrom an external source, the source signal including a plurality ofchannels; the television output configured to forward a tuned signal toa television in the assigned room, the signal being tuned from thesource signal at the set-top box; the memory accessible to theprocessor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that,when executed, cause the processor to: receive a next room assignmentfrom a server, in response to a housekeeping servicing request, generatea housekeeping interactive portal including a first interactive iconrelative to the clean/dirty status of the assigned room and the nextroom assignment, the first interactive icon is selected from the groupconsisting of do not disturb, make-up room, additional towels, freshlinens, turn-back service, and days until check-out, forward thehousekeeping interactive portal to the television via the televisionoutput, and receive an interactive instruction relative to one of thefirst interactive request; the server being disposed in communicationwith the plurality of set-top boxes, the server being co-located at thehospitality establishment; the server sending each of the plurality ofset-top boxes the next room assignment; the server receiving theinteractive instructions relative to the first interactive request; ahousekeeping schedule stored at the server, the next room assignmentforming a portion of the housekeeping schedule, which is dynamicallymaintained based on the interactive instructions received at the serverrelative to the first interactive icon; the server, based on thehousekeeping schedule, sending each of the plurality of set-top boxesthe next room assignment; and wherein for an occupied room, the set-topbox periodically resets the second icon from clean status to dirtystatus.
 2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the housing furthercomprises a transceiver communicatively interconnected with the busingarchitecture.
 3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein thetransceiver receives the interactive instruction from a televisionremote control.
 4. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein thehousekeeping schedule further comprises a name and identification of ahousekeeper associated with the next room assignment.
 5. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the first interactive icon further comprisesa plurality of icons.
 6. A system for operating a hospitalityestablishment having a plurality of rooms, the system comprising: aplurality of set-top boxes respectively disposed in the plurality ofrooms, each set-top box programmably assigned to a respective room, eachset-top box comprising: a housing securing a television input, atelevision output, a processor, and memory therein; a busingarchitecture communicatively interconnecting the television input, thetelevision output, the processor, and the memory therebetween; thetelevision input configured to receive a source signal from an externalsource, the source signal including a plurality of channels; thetelevision output configured to forward a tuned signal to a televisionin the assigned room, the signal being tuned from the source signal atthe set-top box; the memory accessible to the processor, the memoryincluding processor-executable instructions that, when executed, causethe processor to: receive a next room assignment from a server, inresponse to a housekeeping servicing request, generate a housekeepinginteractive portal including a first interactive icon relative to theclean/dirty status of the assigned room, and the next room assignment,the first interactive icon is selected from the group consisting of donot disturb, make-up room, additional towels, fresh linens, turn-backservice, and days until check-out, forward the housekeeping interactiveportal to the television via the television output, and receive aninteractive instruction relative to one of the first interactiverequest; the server being disposed in communication with the pluralityof set-top boxes, the server being co-located at the hospitalityestablishment; the server sending each of the plurality of set-top boxesthe next room assignment; the server receiving the interactiveinstructions relative to the first interactive request; a housekeepingschedule stored at the server, the next room assignment forming aportion of the housekeeping schedule, which is dynamically maintainedbased on the interactive instructions received at the server relative tothe first interactive icon; the server, based on the housekeepingschedule, sending each of the plurality of set-top boxes the next roomassignment; and wherein for an occupied room, the set-top boxperiodically resets the second icon from clean status to dirty status.7. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein the housing furthercomprises a transceiver communicatively interconnected with the busingarchitecture.
 8. The system as recited in claim 7, wherein thetransceiver receives the interactive instruction from a televisionremote control.
 9. The system as recited in claim 6, wherein thehousekeeping schedule further comprises a name and identification of ahousekeeper associated with the next room assignment.
 10. The system asrecited in claim 6, wherein the first interactive icon further comprisesa plurality of icons.
 11. A system for operating a hospitalityestablishment having a plurality of rooms, the system comprising: aplurality of set-top boxes respectively disposed in the plurality ofrooms, each set-top box programmably assigned to a respective room, eachset-top box comprising: a housing securing a television input, atelevision output, a processor, a transceiver, and memory therein; abusing architecture communicatively interconnecting the televisioninput, the television output, the transceiver, the processor, and thememory therebetween; the television input configured to receive a sourcesignal from an external source, the source signal including a pluralityof channels; the television output configured to forward a tuned signalto a television in the assigned room, the signal being tuned from thesource signal at the set-top box; and the memory accessible to theprocessor, the memory including processor-executable instructions that,when executed, cause the processor to: receive a next room assignmentfrom a server; in response to receiving a guest service request,generate a guest interactive portal including a first interactive iconrelative to housekeeping of the assigned room, the first interactiveicon is selected from the group consisting of do not disturb, make-uproom, additional towels, fresh linens, turn-back service, and days untilcheck-out, forward the guest interactive portal to the television viathe television output; and receive an interactive instruction relativeto the first interactive requests; the server being disposed incommunication with the plurality of set-top boxes, the server beingco-located at the hospitality establishment; the server sending each ofthe plurality of set-top boxes the next room assignment; and the serverreceiving the interactive instructions relative to the first interactiverequests; a housekeeping schedule stored at the server, the next roomassignment forming a portion of the housekeeping schedule, which isdynamically maintained based on the interactive instructions received atthe server relative to the first interactive icon; the server, based onthe housekeeping schedule, sending each of the plurality of set-topboxes the next room assignment; and wherein for an occupied room, theset-top box periodically resets the second icon from clean status todirty status.
 12. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein the housingfurther comprises a transceiver communicatively interconnected with thebusing architecture.
 13. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein thetransceiver receives the interactive instruction from a televisionremote control.
 14. The system as recited in claim 11, wherein thehousekeeping schedule further comprises a name and identification of ahousekeeper associated with the next room assignment.
 15. The system asrecited in claim 11, wherein the first interactive icon furthercomprises a plurality of icons.